2017-12-17: Moms ARE Tough
- Log: Moms ARE Tough
- Cast: Riesenlied, Jacqueline Barber
- Where: Wayside
- Date: 17th December 2017
- Summary: Was there ever a question about that?
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied had spent the last couple of hours since the Hadal Temple in recuperation -- it's probably only with Jacqueline's medicines, which her body thankfully is receptive to, that she's able to move out and about... already injured from the spike of Malevolence that Dva stuck in her, it was not at cost that she ventured through the horrifying depths.
But those depths only had more questions. And she owed an apology to Jay as well, so she's summoned the alchemist to one of the caravans nearby, which she's using as a war room of sorts -- there's a large map of the desert with all of the info they've collectively gathered, amongst other articles and persons of interest.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline's adventure into the Hadal Temple had been a...draining experience. It had left her shaken, in more ways than one. The miasma permeating the temple had caused her sorcery to fail her, and finding herself incapable of using a skill that she'd leaned on for much of her life had left her feeling vulnerable. Now that she had been outside of it for some time she was starting to feel a little better, but not so much that she was comfortable casting anything just yet.
Not only that...that /look/ Dva directed to her, and those words she had said still stick in her mind. That combined with the many questions that had arisen meant that for Jacqueline this had not been a very restful few hours. In a way, she was glad when she received a summon for Riesenlied. It would perhaps help get her mind off those things, and onto more important things. Hopefully, trying to get a handle of some kind on the situation.
Jacqueline steps into the caravan that she had been directed to, and bows her head politely toward Riesenlied and anyone else who might be present.
"Sorry for the wait...I hope I haven't been keeping you long." She says, approaching.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied places her hand to her chest as she looks to Jay when she enters, smiling very quietly. "No, it's fine. I still feel the tonic's effects. It's helping with the pain," she admits. "Thank you. And... I'm sorry."
There's a kind of exhausted sigh as she says, "I know you're still tired, but... I really do apologise for what Dva said. I will speak to her when she wakes up..."
She places her hand to her chest. "I'd wanted to speak about some of the things we saw down there, as well. The Leyline... and how it relates to Crest Sorcery... I thought you'd be the person best positioned to drive our investigation to how we will push back against that... creature."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"I'm glad I could help." Jacqueline replies with a nod. Without Riesenlied's help, things might have gone quite differently...Jacqueline owed her for that. Of course, even without that, she still would've done what she could. The apology, though, comes as a bit of a surprise, and Jacqueline glances away for a moment.
"No, it's...it's okay." She shakes her head. "She was...afraid. And after how long she had been down there, exposed to that voice...I can't hold it against her..."
That didn't mean, of course, that those words weren't stuck in Jacqueline's mind. She returns her attention to Riesenlied then, and nods.
"I'm flattered, but...I'm sure there are people more knowledgeable than me about them..." Jacqueline murmurs...and the reconsiders. "...But...I suppose you might not necessarily be in contact with them, so..."
Jacqueline nods.
"I'll do what I can. I'm curious too, and...concerned. I don't know what that creature is doing with the Leyline, but it can't be healthy for Filgaia."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
"... I let that fear fester in her, because I didn't properly speak to her -- I didn't address her concerns," Riesenlied sighs. "This much, I acknowledge... and promise to be better at." She draws her own breath in... and then smiles quietly. "Being kind to ourselves."
It's like she's reminding herself of their promise, since she struggles with it too.
"In truth, I had earmarked this area due to the oft-repeated rumour of a skyship falling around here from back in the Metal Demon Wars," Riesenlied explains. "When I saw the water purifier, I thought that it may be related technology... now that we have made our intent formal, it is only a matter of time before the Quarter Knights get here."
She bobs her head. "The rumour was true after all, and... so was the creature it battled. That message... chills me to my core."
She squints a little closer to say, "It is a creature aligned with... Muse, was it? I know of the elements, but I would not know how one challenges an element in their domain..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"If there's any way I can help, let me know. I'm...sure I'm the last person she would want to see, but..." Jacqueline replies. She couldn't really find a way to conclude the statement. In a way, she felt partially responsible for what happened...though Riesenlied brings up their promise before she can let that train of thought go too far.
Yes...it was important to keep that in mind.
"A skyship...? I see...so that's what that structure was..." Jacqueline murmurs, glancing down at the table pensively. It was technology beyond her imagination, then... The threat of the Quarter Knights...yes, that was a problem.
But the skyship... Hm.
"Muse, yes. In layman's terms, it could be referred to as 'Water'..." Jacqueline replies. Perhaps the presence of the leyline so close by had something to do with how effective the water purifier was...though Jacqueline couldn't say anything for certain.
"To combat a creature like that...typically, you would confront it with its opposing element - for creatures aligned with Muse, that would typically be Fray. But...that may not work, in this case. According to the message we found, fire did not work against it. And...it spreads quickly, which speaks to me of vast regenerative capabilities...if we did not destroy it utterly, it may not be long before it returns to full strength, particularly if it is allowed to draw upon the power of the Leyline..." Jacqueline murmurs, and begins to pace.
"I'm not sure what we could do...I'd definitely have to do some research..."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied thinks closer to the message as well, nodding very slowly. "We may need to rely on the power of the Guardians as well... the sheer strength of a Material summon may be what is required to repel the presence of the Pale. On my end, I will try to cultivate my abilities so that I can protect us all from the whispers he keeps delivering to us..."
It was the best thing she could think of to do, anyway. She was no sorcerer, and she has no capability to use magic...
"Perhaps a way to cut it off from the Leyline as well would be -- useful. I did see how it allowed even Dva to manifest this... water shroud around her..."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"The Guardians...after how it was able to pierce through the power of Schturdark and Grudiev, I'm not sure...but perhaps maybe we just didn't try hard enough..." Jacqueline considers. "Maybe Moor Gault...and others, as well. Aru Sulato, too, may be useful..."
She nods toward Riesenlied, then.
"Yes...your abilities...I think we will need them. That place seems to assault people with visions and hallucinations that are...difficult to ignore." Jacqueline remembered her own encounter with that. That sensation of something trying to draw her into the deeps...
"I saw that, yes. It may be that cutting it off is the only way we can fight against it... I'll do what I can to see if any such method exists."
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied presses her fingers to the bridge of her nose for a moment. "He tricked me, even... it was deeply rattling to see, when it had turned out to be hallucinations. I am only glad I did not do anything irreparable."
She nods at Jacqueline's plan again. "I will see if I can't gather support elsewhere, with the tools that we have. It is clear to me that this is both a threat to Filgaia, and also a threat to our continued existence... we will need the Pale dealt with in order to access the skyship and repair it."
She smiles a bit fainter, nodding.
"I'll also be able to assist you more directly with the defence of the remaining Statues, however I can... Miss Lily has still advised me to avoid combat, but it does not mean I cannot be of service."
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline nods in understanding. She knew that feeling all too well.
"We need all the help we can get. You're right...this isn't just Wayside's problem. Hopefully we can get people to understand that." She agrees, and then offers Riesenlied a smile.
"It'll be reassuring to have you with us, Riesenlied. Even if it isn't in direct combat, I'm sure your talents as a leader and a strategist will be invaluable." She says.
Not to mention the fact that she would likely have knowledge on possible threats that few other people would have.
<Pose Tracker> Riesenlied has posed.
Riesenlied has a quiet blush at that, shaking her head gently. "... it feels good, to start to be able to contribute in a way that feels meaningful to me. It has been far too long... and we will try our hardest, in whatever shape and manner we can."
There's a faint wince in turn, as she says with a delicate smile, "I should return to the orphanage... Mikaia and Janey will be hungry soon, and I'd best not keep them waiting."
Managing Leyline-threatening villains and fixing lunch for her kids too! Truly, moms are tough.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
"Agreed. I'll do everything I can on my end, as well." Jacqueline replies with a resolute nod. And then...a good-natured chuckle, as Riesenlied decides it's time to go fix lunch.
"Yes, I wouldn't want to keep you. I should probably return to the others, as well. Tell them I said 'hello' for me, if you would?" She agrees and then, with a smile and a wave, turns to head out the door.